Call Condello Travel and book your “Vaxication”

Vaccinations. No, wait. That’s “vaxications” – the fuel our travel industry needs as we will soon enter a post-pandemic world.

As the vaccine rollout is happening across Canada, travel-hungry consumers are now mapping out their next vacation spot, and “vaxications” will help the industry explode. Most of us have had limited or no travel, both in Canada and abroad, since the COVID-19 pandemic shut our world down over a year ago.

Yes, can you believe the pandemic has lasted this long? Most of us thought it would only be a couple of months, maybe half a year – but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

There are literally millions of travellers who will soon be booking flights, hotels, and cruises and the new buzzword in our industry will be described by one word. Yes, I already said it: “vaxications.”

According to leading media outlets and travel agents, one being Condello Travel in Vaughan, ON, inquiries and bookings are on the rise. The reason: travel consumers are feeling more confident to fly-away to sandy beaches or off-the-beaten-path places with the vaccine, or vaccines, being made available. Many people are now getting their first shot, and in about a month or two they will get one more – this means they will be ready to take off and explore what our country has to offer and other countries for that matter.

What will the new era of travel look like?

I always get asked this question by tons of people who soon want to travel.

First, travel agents will be utilized in a big way. Sure, there will still be scores of travellers booking trips online, but travel consumers will most likely want to play it safe when booking their trips, which means more will lean on agents. Travel agents are the professionals who can advise on the best trips, routes and accommodations, and they will always be there for you in the event the rules and guidelines change in a post-pandemic world (we are not out of COVID-19 yet and it may take quite a while for our world to get back to what it once was pre-COVID, so keep that in mind).

Then there is the insurance side, which travel agents will also help you with.

Felicia Di Francesco, the founder and owner of Condello Travel, says they will help book your trip to a safe destination and they will provide the right insurance for cancellations, longer stays, and illness.

Now let’s shift our attention to the airports, which means that you will need to keep those facemasks and hand-sanitizing bottles. That’s right, having your face covered is a rule that will be in place in our post-pandemic world and just might be forever. Then there is handwashing, social distancing, and temperature checks – the airports will continue to enforce these safety measures now and well into the future. Let’s also not forget that you will need to have proof of your vaccination on hand for your “vaxication.” What we will most likely see however is our government employing a vaccination passport program – a digital one to ensure the health and safety of all passengers. Right now, there are a number of G7 countries, including Canada, that have – or will – made vaccination passports mandatory. Either way, you will need to show proof of vaccination on departure and arrival, and some countries may also still require a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to arrival. Again, book with a travel agent if you are going anywhere as they are “in the know” with all the rules and guidelines that are still changing by the minute. And one last thing about airports, touchless check-in is now a reality, and seating inside at pubs, restaurants, and capacity in shops, may be limited for another year or so, or forever.

Travelers will also be very picky about where they stay and the hotels, as well as dining establishments, will need to stay on top of their game when it comes to keeping everything spick-and-span-clean. The same holds true with transportation companies, like limos and taxis. One or two bad reviews could shut a business down – trust me on this one. Since the pandemic hit, hotels began adopting new ways to keep travellers safe, like with touchless check-ins, and even robots are now being used for room services, and a large number of hotels have even rejigged their dining and bar seating to keep people further apart for health and safety reasons. No one wants to end up back in another pandemic, which is why hotels, like the airlines, restaurants, taxis, and limos, are ensuring cleanliness on all fronts. Simply put, the establishments that put their best effort forward will come out as true winners in our post-pandemic world.

Condello Travel pivots to accommodate post-pandemic travel

Condello Travel has been in business since 1987 and they know all about reinvention. The company has experienced it all: 9/11, SARS, a global meltdown, and now a pandemic. But they have adapted to changing times: they are now focussing their efforts to further boost confidence in travellers: luxury river cruises with less people and more space, romantic getaways at top-shelf resorts near beaches, custom travel strips, hosted group trips, and small group “bubble” travel.

Felicia Di Francesco, who has enjoyed every minute of running her own boutique full-service agency, states: “The world is opening back up, and we’re here to help you make sense of it all. From supplier safety regulations to varying travel restrictions, and everything in between, we’ll help you stay safe while traveling. Adventure awaits – it’s time to start planning.”

So, where are you planning your “vaxicaiton?”